Council recognizes St. Paul for service

WINNSBORO — St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church was recognized recently by Winnsboro Town Council for 140 years of outstanding faith and service in the Winnsboro community.

The church was established in 1873 and in 1893 the current building was built at 207 N. Garden St.

St. Paul Missionary Baptist’s pastor Terry Corbin was on hand Oct. 15 to accept the award and was complimentary of the community of which his church has been a part. Mayor Pro-Tem Jack Wilkes made the presentation.

“On behalf of the church I want to thank the council for this recognition,” Corbin said. “Thank you so much. I’ve met some of the best people in the world right here in Winnsboro.”

In celebrating its 140th anniversary, St. Paul Missionary Baptist will hold homecoming events from Nov. 22 through Nov. 24.

Corbin told council that his church has received a tremendous amount of support for this homecoming and people from all over town have offered to lend a hand and help out.

“We want everybody to be included for this memorable event,” Corbin noted.

On Nov. 22, the homecoming celebration will begin with a banquet featuring the Claflin University Gospel Choir. Family Fun Day will follow on Nov. 23 and activities will culminate with Sunday service on Nov. 24.

In new business, Electric Utilities director William Medlin presented council with information about EPA clean air standards. The new standards will require Winnsboro to retrofit the two peak shaving generators with catalyst controls on the exhaust side to reduce air pollutants.

Winnsboro utilities has been involved with peak shaving since the mid 1980’s to build 70-percent of the peak during the summer months for the rest of the year — whether it is used or not. The power provider now gives credit every month for generation, and according to Medlin, equals roughly $150,000 in savings per year.

“Basically we are able to keep utility rates as low as we can get them,” Medlin noted.

Medlin did not recommend to make the move yet to the peak shaving generators because they are currently in negotiation of new power contracts.

“I just want to give you (council) this information because these laws are out there but we don’t have to abide by them yet if we continue to do shaving,” Medlin advised council.

The new EPA requirements are only for generators that are not used for emergency power — Winnsboro’s peak shaving generators are not used to supply emergency power. The estimated cost to install the new devices is $100,00 per generator — totaling $200,000 for both generators.

Council accepted the information and did not take any action.

After a recommendation from the finance committee to approve a capital expenditure request from Jessie Douglas, director of gas, water and sewer, council unanimously voted to spend $3,400 for tools needed in the gas department.

A squeeze off tool — already in the capital expenditure budget — will cost $2,000, and a combustible gas indicator — not in the capital expenditure budget — will cost $1,400.

Because of a schedule conflict, the Fairfield County School Board and Fairfield County Council will be unable to attend the Oct. 24 intergovernmental meeting.